The recent news that a common knee surgery does nothing for osteoarthritis of the knee might have sounded like bad news to some patients: one less chance at relief. But experts say the results give them a chance to talk about good news: There's a lot you can do to prevent or treat this increasingly common problem.

A government advisory panel Tuesday recommended approval of the drug Actemra, promoted as a new type of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, a painful and disabling swelling of the joints generally kept in check with medication.